Volleyball with weekend rematches vs. HBU and Lamar

Women's Volleyball | 11/2/2016 10:47:00 AM

Houston Baptist: Live Stats | Video
Lamar: Live Stats | Video
 

---

ABILENE - Abilene Christian volleyball looks to even its series records against Houston Baptist (17-12, 8-5 Southland) and Lamar (6-19, 6-7 Southland) this weekend with home matches scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. The Wildcats were swept in three sets by both schools earlier this season.

ACU went 1-1 during last weekend's road trip to Northwestern State and Central Arkansas, as it followed a convincing three-set win over the Lady Demons (25-19, 25-17, 25-21) with a tough four-set loss vs. the Sugar Bears (25-21, 29-31, 25-18, 25-13) that dropped the Wildcats to 8-19 overall and 7-5 within the league. 

Sophomore outside hitter Jacey Smith led the Wildcats last weekend with 26 points via 23 kills and six block assists, followed by senior Dorothy Swanson with 23 points (20 kills, three total blocks). 

Freshman Marybeth Sandercox also was a strong contributor with 14 kills and a .333 hitting percentage, while rookie Courtney Miller filled in for an injured Lauren Walker, coming away with four aces and 13 total blocks (one solo). The Wildcats outblocked their opposition by a margin of 18 to 8.5, and currently rank third in the conference with 2.31 per game.

ACU individuals ranked among the Southland leaders include Smith, who ranks ninth in kills with 2.88 per sets, and sophomore setter Kendall Bosse whose 7.56 assists per set rank 10th. Walker and fellow middle blocker Lexi Mercier are fourth and ninth in blocks with per game averages of 1.08 and 1.01, while freshman Amanda Chapa is fifth with 4.46 digs per set.

ACU's .500 weekend kept them fourth of 13 teams in the conference standings, a half game behind HBU (8-5) for third place and a half game ahead of Sam Houston State (6-5). Corpus Christi (12-0) has a 2.5 game lead over Stephen F. Austin (9-2) with four games remaining.

The Wildcats are undefeated at home this fall at 5-0 and 11-2 over the last two seasons. This year they've beaten four conference schools at Moody Coliseum (New Orleans, Southeastern La., Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston State) behind a .188 hitting percentage and per game averages of 11.96 kills, 1.09 aces, 15.96 digs and 2.41 blocks.